Friday, November 18, 2011

For Skins Fan's, Time to Familiarize with QB Prospects in Draft

Could Baylor QB Robert Griffin III be the Skins next signal caller?

If you have been following the Redskins, you know their offense needs a major overhall. This team is in need of more help on the O-line, more wide receivers, and even another running back or two. All of that takes a back seat though, as quarterback has to be a top priority.

One of the best ways to get a quarterback is to get a high pick in the right year. The skins have been doing their best to compete for a high pick and this just might be a good year for QB's. There are a few names on top of every list and there is one name always on top of those list.

Andrew Luck: 6'4", 235 lbs, Junior, Stanford Cardinals

Luck is the name that is on top of every list. Jim Harbaugh, who coached Luck at Stanford before becoming 49'ers coach, said "Andrew is as good a competitor as you will ever see." Very high praise.

"PROS: Good arm strength, extremely durable, quick
release, has ideal size at 6 foot 4 235 pounds, plays in a pro style
offense, precise mechanics when executing short/medium passing game,
intelligence, character, pinpoint accuracy, clutch quarterback, pocket
passer, scrambles well, can scramble when necessary, throws on the run
well, winner, excellent at multitasking examples of this include a play
where he tackled a USC player off a fumble and a reception he made
against UCLA, extremely unselfish, does whats in the teams best
interest, can make any progression using a 1 step, 3 step, or 5 step
drop. Luck can drop back to fire a 7 step drop, can play in any NFL
offensive scheme, potential, franchise player

Luck is a special player. If the Skins were to get him, their luck would be as good as other DC teams. The Nationals have Harper and Strasburg; the Capitals have Ovechkin; and the Wizards have John Wall. Luck and his 70% completion percentage, most likely won't be available when the Skins pick. Three other names that jump out to me are Jones, Barkley, and Griffin..

CONS:
Plays on dominant team…doesn’t have overly strong arm, but can still
make all the throws….slightly disadvantaged because of OU’s offense
(fast paced shot-gun offense..hard to get a good feel for how well he
goes through progressions)…throws a few too many INT (not a lot
though)…looked very fidgety especially in the pocket vs FSU in 2011…has
struggled with pressure in his face

"PROS: Will come in and be a leader of an NFL locker room, great
personality, strong arm, improved accuracy, good athlete, former top HS
prospect, hard worker, three-year starter at one of the country’s most
prestigious football universities, Pac 10 academic All Conference
honorable mention, runs a pro-style offense at USC. Strong arm, plays in
a pro style offense. Good feel in the pocket. Durable, has yet to miss a
start. Plus at reading coverages, will continue to improve going
through his progressions. Has excellent ball placement…has some
wheels…good size…can throw the ball on the run

CONS:
Slightly shorter than guys like Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Andrew
Luck, etc., but that shouldn’t affect him at all, case of Jay Cutler
syndrome first two years adjusting to college game, numbers haven’t
blown anyone away until 2011. Is he clutch? He hasn’t been able to win
some big games in the fourth quarter, holds onto the ball a little
long. Inconsistent accuracy "

"PROS: Good arm, proved he could recover from injury
in 2009 after getting injured as a sophomore, can play in a pro style
offense, dual threat quarterback, good accuracy, good zip, high football
IQ, 4.0 GPA, finished 7th among seniors at Baylor in graduation class,
ran track, has deadly speed, got Baylor off to a 7-2 start last season,
consistency, high character, executed a 4th quarter comeback against TCU
on opening day of junior redshirt campaign, can play in any NFL
offensive scheme, potential.

CONS: Slightly
undersized, some scouts are skeptical believing Griffin’s skill set as a
dual threat quarterback will not translate to the NFL level, lost 4
games in a row to finish the year after Baylor’s 7-2 start including
Texas Bowl VS Illinois, may need to sit behind veteran quarterback for a
year or two, has yet to win a late season game.

It is still too early to decide who would be the best choice for the Redskins. After Bowl games and the scouting combine things will be clearer. One thing is sure. The Redskins should have quarterback at the top of their priority list.